Evidence is everywhere in any investigation but much of it is hidden from view. The key first step to finding critical evidence is to be aware of the possibilities of today's forensic technology.

This is the first of a two-part series on forensic document evidence, developed in close cooperation with the Miami-Dade (Florida) Police Department Crime Laboratory. (Any opinions or recommendations are the authors' and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Miami-Dade Police Department.)  

The first installment covers traditional document examination, how to select a qualified document examiner, and evidence handling procedures.   

The second part, which will appear in the March/April issue, will discuss "Star Wars" technology in documentary evidence, including identifying altered writing, recovering erased or obliterated writing, obtaining evidence from indented writing, fingerprint evidence, and DNA analysis. - ed.

A Different Mind-set